The parish of Paoay was founded by Augustinian missionaries as early as 1593, but the cornerstone of the current church had been laid out much later in 1704, only to be damaged by an earthquake in 1706.

The Spanish friars had the church rebuilt to withstand earthquakes, with 24 massive buttresses supporting the more than 3 feet thick walls made of coral blocks. The convent was added in 1707, and the coral stone bell tower was completed in 1793.

The historic campanile was used as an observation post by Katipuneros during the Revolution, and by guerilleros during the Japanese occupation.

The Paoay Church was declared a national treasure by then President Ferdinand Marcos in order to preserve its state, and is now included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

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